Logan Square Neighborhood Walk: California Avenue

One day a few months ago, I was wanting to go for a walk, but wanting to go somewhere new. I used to do these “neighborhood walks” and post photos on this site, but haven’t done it forever. So, I decided that maybe over the course of this summer I will try to walk Logan Square. When you look up Logan Square boundaries, people have varying opinions. For this exercise, I’m going to go with these boundaries for the neighborhood: Diversey to the north, Western to the east, Armitage to the south and Pulaski to the West. However you classify it, the neighborhood is HUGE. So, I think if I do this I’ll have to break it up into a bunch of chunks. As the summer has progressed I haven’t done a great job keeping up on this project, but I’ll keep trying. Here are my photos from my walk on California Avenue from Armitage to Diversey.


Los Arista Food & Liquors


A strip mall in Logan Square. The Papa John’s is new this year.


Zen Salon for Men


Condo building.


Salem Evangelical Free Church


Ronny’s


More Condos


Mandy’s Cleaners


For Sale


14th District Police Department


Cafeteria de Pancho


Little Mel’s


This place is going to be Masada’s (Middle Eastern). It’s been under construction since we moved to Logan Square, but seems to actually be making progress now. I like the look.


Boiler Room. Been here for many slices.


California Blue Line Station


Cozy Corner and Emilio’s Produce Stand


Taqueria Moran, Logan Bar & Grill


It was Mothers Day, so there were vendors out trying to sell flowers and stuffed animals and stuff.


Currency Exchange


Logan Square Pantry


Sierra Tire Shop


California Furniture


More Mothers Day stuff for sale.


And they say all the new condos look the same…


Letizia’s Fiore


Mops Beauty Shop (Dallas and I, along with several other friends, have been going here for years!)


Used to be a drive-thru, now someone’s home?


Digame Language Instruction, A Touch of Vintage


Gosu, Korean/Japanese restaurant we’ve been meaning to try


Hachi’s Kitchen


Provenance Food & Wine, Anong Thai


Buona Terra


This Starbucks has an awesome outdoor patio.


Logan Boulevard


Flowering trees on Logan Boulevard


Fellowship House Assisted Living


Color Me Salon


Again with the older houses that are all exactly the same.


Walgreen’s


Need a mattress or futon?


I’ve never been to or any Popeye’s. I may have been to an IHOP once or twice, but not this one.

A Neighborhood Walk: Roscoe Village, Addison Street

01_apartments.jpg

02_street.jpg

03_apartments.jpg

04_roscoe_village_pub.jpg

05_soo.jpg

06_houses.jpg

Addison is a busy street, but mostly residential. And all the streets coming off of it are residential too. I think the buildings you see are representative of most of the housing in Roscoe Village. It makes me think .. how there are rows of 2-flats and houses that look exactly the same.. these days everyone’s always bitching about the new condos that are going up that are all the same. Do you think back when all these 2-flats and houses were being built people were sitting there like “Damn! ANOTHER two story house?” or “Man, they’re tearing down that old place for ANOTHER 2-flat!” Somehow, I doubt it.

Previously in Roscoe Village:
» Roscoe Street
» Western Avenue

A Neighborhood Walk: Roscoe Village, Western Avenue

01_sierra_auto_group.jpg

02_ramp.jpg

03_tires.jpg

04_financing_avail.jpg

05_testing_station.jpg

06_safety_test.jpg

07_on_the_web.jpg

08_hot_dog.jpg

09_beboba.jpg

10_popeyes.jpg

I’d be willing to bet that Western Avenue has the most car dealerships of any other street in Chicago. No matter where you are on Western they’re selling or servicing cars! When I took this top photo some guy came out and thought I was taking a photo of a car I liked and asked if he could “make a photo” with me in it too.

Previously in Roscoe Village:
» Roscoe Street

A Neighborhood Walk: Roscoe Village, Roscoe Street

roscoe_village.jpg

03_message_board.jpg

02_mulligans.jpg

04_barbershop.jpg

05_rudys_bakery.jpg

05.5_lantern.jpg

06_chinese_health_center.jpg

08_houses.jpg

09_lingerie.jpg

09.5_hot_dougs.jpg

10_houses.jpg

10.1_house.jpg

10.5_condos.jpg

11_1978.jpg

One of the days I was dogsitting in Roscoe Village it was really nice outside, so after taking Drake & Cortez for a walk, I took a walk myself around the neighborhood. Roscoe Village’s boundries are Belmont to the south, Western to the west, Addison to the north, and Damen to the east. Roscoe runs through the heart so I also included this street in my neighborhood walk.

When you get off these main streets in Roscoe Village, the neighborhood is quiet and quaint. Lots of families, strollers and dogs, it seems. There are a lot of 2 story houses and buildings, as opposed to the 3-flats you see all over other neighborhoods, and there doesn’t seem to be a ton of new condo development.

More Roscoe Village posts coming up after this!

A Neighborhood Walk: Noble Square, Ashland North of Division

01_palms.jpg

02_arandas.jpg

03_soapys.jpg

04_nitrous_oxide.jpg

05_empty_lot.jpg

06_mikes_furniture.jpg

07_fryer.jpg

08_west_town_dental.jpg

09_fountain.jpg

The last in the Noble Square series. I can hear you saying “finally!” This is the part of Noble Square I know the best, just because I ride the Ashland bus a lot. My favorite part is Arandas. Most car lots and service businesses have flags and flags and more flags, but Arandas choose to go with palm trees. And not just any palm trees, palm trees that light up at night. Quite a sight to see.

Previously in Noble Square:
» Northeast
» Southeast
» Chicago Ave.
» Ashland South of Division

Other neighborhood walks:
» Ukrainian Village: 1 2 3 4
» East Ukrainian Village: 1 2 3 4